A Guide To Getting Started With Therapy: 4 Simple Steps
At Grander Peace Counseling (GPC), we feel confident speaking on behalf of all Minneapolis and St. Paul therapists–it’s courageous to seek out therapy. Designating intentional time to work on your mental and emotional health can be a pivotal step in getting you closer to the life you want to live. It can also feel deeply daunting to get started. We understand there are many unknowns that can keep people stuck before taking that first step. Common questions include: How will I pay for sessions? What is the first session like? What kind of therapy do I need? How do I find the right therapist for me? The first blog in our “Getting Started” series aims to break down the next steps you can take to find a qualified mental health professional and start working toward meaningful change in your life, whatever that means for you.
Step 1: Identify Your “Why” For Therapy
Before beginning your search for a therapist, it may be useful to spend some time thinking more about what feels challenging about your life right now. This step helps narrow down what kind of therapist or approach could best fit your needs. Some folks may have a solid understanding of what feels “off”–such as anxious thoughts, depression, difficult relational challenges, or a traumatic experience. Don’t have the language to know exactly what’s going on? Also completely normal! Having the awareness that something isn’t feeling right in your life is enough information to get started. Here are a few helpful prompts to consider:
What’s been feeling most challenging lately about life?
Have I noticed any patterns in my thoughts, emotions, or relationships?
What would I like life to look like in six months from now?
Step 2: Start your search
If you’re local to Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota or Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grander Peace Counseling therapists would be honored to help! We can also see Minnesota therapy clients virtually and can provide therapy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Take a look at our bios and explore more of our individual backgrounds, approaches and experiences. Having trouble deciding? We can offer personalized help in matching you with the right fit. See our contact information below:
Contact Us — Grander Peace Counseling LLC
If you’re wanting to expand your horizons with options beyond Grander Peace Counseling, that’s okay! We want you to find the right therapist for your needs, even if it’s not with us. Other useful resources include websites such as:
Step 3: Review your practical needs
Logistics may not be the most fun consideration, but they’re essential to identify early on! Once you’ve established what you may want to seek support for and have a few therapists in mind you may want to work with, it’s time to review the practical pieces of the therapy puzzle.
Want to use your insurance benefits? Call the number on the back of your card to ensure your benefits cover mental health therapy sessions. An even better way to ensure no surprise bills and save yourself time later? Verify with your health insurance provider that the therapists you’re interested in take your specific plan. This can often be done online through your health provider’s portal or another call to verify network eligibility.
Other clients may not have insurance or do not want to use insurance. Our Grander Peace Counseling therapists offer private pay rates and may have limited reduced rate slots. Reach out to hear more about this option.
Another practical need is location. How far would you like to drive? Are you open to telehealth appointments? Our Grander Peace Counseling locations can be found here, with direct links to therapists who work at each location.
Step 4: Reach out for a consultation call or schedule an intake
The next step is when it all becomes a lot more real…connecting with potential therapists! To schedule an initial appointment (also commonly referred to as a diagnostic assessment or intake), you can often request a day/time on a therapist’s schedule or directly reach out to them via their contact information to ensure they’re taking new clients and have availability that aligns with yours.
Another popular option many therapists offer are complimentary consultation calls before scheduling a formal intake. These calls are typically 15 minutes and held over the phone or virtually. Think of consultation calls like trying on a new pair of shoes. It’s about finding the right fit and style for your personal needs but until you try them on, it can be hard to know if you can commit to taking them home to see if they can work for you there. These calls are great opportunities where you can ask more questions to get an initial vibe check from a potential therapist.
Here are just a few suggestions on what you can ask:
”How do you work with my issue?”
“Can you tell me more about your work with the identities I hold?”
”What therapeutic approaches do you use?”
“Do you offer online or in person sessions?”
“How would other clients describe you?”
Many of our Grander Peace Counseling therapists offer consultation calls. Please reach out to us directly to see if this option is available for you. If you interview a few different therapists, it’s normal to need some time to review your options to think more about who you’d like to schedule an intake with.
Our Grander Peace Counseling therapists want you to know that we are here for you. If you need any support through this initial process or are ready to get started, let’s help! Reach out today.